| Sometimes when a light entertainment lasts beyond its time it's because it says something about its time (often unconsciously) and people like to go back to it for that reason: ANYTHING GOES and the Cole Porter songs bring back the Jazz Age, YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU brings back the Depression and the optimism that brought us through it. Based on that, I think both PAJAMA GAME and DAMN YANKEES are fairly strong examples of mid-century Americana, like a series of Beach Boy songs, and have a good shot at continued revivals. But Jerry Herman's Big Lady musicals really only connect with Star Worship and Mama Love. I'd say as times goes on there more likely to be fade like DuBARRY WAS A LADY or HIGH BUTTON SHOES. They're not about enough for contemporary audiences to keep connecting with them. |
